I remember being about four or five years old and someone asking me what I wanted to do when I grew up. I wanted to be a paleontologist. I wanted to travel the world on a search for dinosaur bones. I had big dreams then. That has not changed. I was so undecided on what I wanted to do when I graduated high school. I was constantly asked what I wanted to do and where I wanted to go to college. I would always respond with "I don't know yet".

After an amazing trip to Florida last December, I have finally decided that I want to be a Marine Biologist. I want to go to school in Florida to be close to the Clearwater Marine Aquarium. It took me almost 17 years to decide what I wanted to do for the rest of my life. I think my young self would be disappointed that I wouldn't be spending my life hunting for the skeletons of extinct dinosaurs. I also think that she would be very happy that I want to be around dolphins and sea turtles and other marine animals. I think she would be proud of me for wanting to help those beautiful creatures.

Even though my life plans have changed in the last ten years, I am proud of where they are going.